Inflatable play pen and inflatable construction set

ABSTRACT

An inflatable playpen has a base with shaped welds, an inflatable wall, and optionally a cover. At least one of the shaped welds has an interior portion removed. The inflatable wall has a plurality of rings. The rings are oriented so that their centers are substantially collinear. Each ring in the wall may be an air chamber. The cover has a securing means to keep it secured snugly to the base and wall of the inflatable playpen.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provision ApplicationNo. 60/653,774, Filed Feb. 17, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a playpen. More particularly,the present invention relates to an inflatable playpen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Playpens are used by parents and childcare providers to confine andmonitor children in a safe and enclosed location that insulates thechildren from undesired or dangerous environments. Playpens alsorestrict objects children have access to so that potentially harmfulobjects are avoided.

Traditional playpens have walls, a frame, and a base primarily made ofwood, metal, or plastic. These play pens have the problems of beingheavy, immobile, difficult and time consuming to assemble, and rigid.

Playpens made from wood, metal, or rigid plastic can be very heavy. Aparent or childcare provider wishing to relocate such a playpen istypically unable to do so because it is too heavy. Playpens made out ofwood, metal, or plastic are also rigid and have a fixed shape. A parentor childcare provider wishing to relocate such a playpen is typicallyunable to do so because the rigid shape of the playpen often does notallow it to fit through doors or other relatively small openings.

Current playpens made out of wood, metal, or rigid plastic are alsodifficult and time-consuming to assemble. A parent or childcare providermay not have the time, tools, or necessary technical skills todisassemble and later reassemble the playpen. Difficult andtime-consuming assembly requires the attention of the person assemblingthe playpen, causing the parent or childcare provider to stop payingattention to the child, who is no longer confined to a playpen. Leavinga child unattended and unconfined is potentially dangerous for thechild.

Playpens made out of wood, metal, or rigid plastic contain hard walls,posts, or bases. Very young children often have limited ability tomaintain their balance and stand upright, causing them to fallfrequently. If a child falls into a hard wood, metal, or plastic wall,post, or base of a playpen, the child could be injured.

Other types of playpens include inflatable playpens. Current inflatableplaypens are susceptible to being punctured or otherwise developingholes that allow air to escape and the playpen to deflate. This isdangerous because a deflated playpen will no longer confine the child.The unconfined child is free to leave the playpen and encounterdangerous objects and environments.

Current inflatable playpens have components such as a base and wallsmade out of single air chambers. These playpens have the problem ofcompletely deflating when any portion of the air chamber is punctured ordeflates. This is dangerous because a single puncture would deflate theentire play pen.

Present inflatable playpens have bases that do not allow air to passthrough them. Instead, air pockets can become trapped beneath the baseof a current inflatable playpen. These air pockets can cause the playpento become unstable and potentially tip over. This is problematic becauseif the playpen tips over it could injure the child or allow the child toleave the playpen and get hurt.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,104,750 to Kelter et. al. discloses an inflatable cribwith four separate and distinct walls and an inflatable base without anyway for air to pass through the base.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,153 to Bleser et. al. discloses an inflatableplaypen with an inflatable mattress and columns constituting a singleair chamber.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,284 to Brown discloses an inflatable crib formed byan inflatable base, independently inflatable side walls and ascreen-like webbing connecting each side wall to the base portion.

All these patents suffer from the same defect. If any one of the wallsbecomes deflated a child can leave the crib and encounter danger. Even asingle wall deflating could make the crib unstable, allowing the childto tip it over, potentially injuring the child. Without any way for airto pass through the base air pockets are trapped underneath the base,potentially causing the crib to become unstable and dangerous.

Current playpens get dirty easily and are difficult to clean. At timeschildren may eat or drink in a playpen. This can cause the playpen toget dirty and sticky. Additionally, when a playpen is located outdoorswhere there is dirt and other debris that can cause the playpen to getdirty. Currently it is necessary to clean playpens by hand, which isdifficult and time-consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an inflatableplaypen with an inflatable base, the base having shaped welds, at leastone of the shaped welds having an interior portion removed. Thispreferred embodiment also has an inflatable wall made up of a number ofconnected rings that each have a separate air chamber. The base of theplaypen is connected to the ring closest to it. The inflatable playpenin this preferred embodiment also has a cover with an opening that canfit snugly around the base and the walls. The multiple air chambers inthe rings making up the wall prevents any one leak of hole from causingthe wall to deflate. If the wall deflated, it would be problematicbecause a child put in the playpen would no longer be confined to theplaypen. The cover can be removed and easily washed. This is beneficialbecause playpens get dirty frequently.

These and other features of the present invention are discussed orapparent in the following detailed description.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable playpen according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inflatable playpen with coveraccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an inflatable playpen according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plain view of an inflatable playpen according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the base of aninflatable playpen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of inflatable playpen 100. The inflatableplaypen 100 includes base 110 and inflatable wall 120. The base 110includes at least one inflatable chamber 112, a plurality of shapedwelds 114, and a plurality of shaped weld having their interior portionsremoved 116. The inflatable wall 120 includes multiple rings 122, eachring having a separate air chamber.

To construct inflatable playpen 100, an outer edge of base 110 isconnected to inflatable wall 120. In base 110, upper sheet 402 and lowersheet 404 (as shown in FIG. 5 and discussed below) are connected bywelds 114 oriented in a grid pattern out to the edges. This formsinflatable chamber 112. Inflatable wall 120 is constructed by connectingrings 122 together. Ring 122, closest to base 110, is connected to base110. Rings 122 are oriented so that their centers are substantiallycollinear.

In operation, welds 114 help base 110 maintain its shape. Welds 114 alsohelp stabilize base 110 and maintain a substantially uniformdistribution of air in inflatable chamber 112. This cushion of air inbase 110 helps protect children in playpen 100 from injury when playpen100 is placed on a hard surface. At least one shaped weld has itsinterior portion 116 removed, allowing air to move from beneath playpen100 through base 110. Preferably a plurality of shaped welds have theirinterior portions removed 116, and are configured in a grid formation.This prevents pockets of air from getting trapped under playpen 100causing it to become unstable. Inflatable wall 120 confines a childplaced in playpen 100. The multiple rings 122 of wall 120 create abarrier that keeps the child in playpen 100.

Several alternatives exist to the embodiment of the invention describedabove and shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment the shape and placement ofwelds 114 and welds having an interior portion removed 116 aredifferent. In one embodiment welds 114 and welds having an interiorportion removed 116 are shapes other than circles, such as ovals,squares, rectangles, stars, diamonds, octagons, polygons, or the like.In one embodiment welds 114 and welds having an interior portion removed116 are arranged in different patterns other than a grid. The number ofrings 122 in the inflatable wall 120 may also vary. In one embodiment,each ring 122 is a separate air chamber. In another embodiment each ring122 has multiple air chambers. The number of air chambers in base 110may also vary. In one embodiment, base 110 has multiple air chambers. Inone embodiment base 110 has inflatable chambers 112 that are parallel toeach other. In another embodiment the base 110 has inflatable chambers112 that are concentric circles. In yet another embodiment, theinflatable chambers are interwoven, thereby preventing the child fromcoming into contact with a hard surface if any one of the chambersdeflates.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of inflatable playpen 200 with cover 210.Cover 210 includes drawstring 212. Cover 210 is placed around playpen200 and is secured with drawstring 212. In operation, when drawstring212 is tightened, it makes the opening in cover 210 smaller than thesize of playpen 200, thereby keeping cover 210 secured to playpen 200.The cover 210 is secured to playpen 200 with securing means such asdrawstring 212, Velcro™, zippers, snaps, hooks, ties, buttons, and thelike.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of inflatable playpen 300. Inflatableplaypen 300 includes base 310, inflatable wall 320, and cover 330. Base310 includes inflatable chambers 312, shaped welds 314, shaped weldshaving an interior portion removed 316, and openings 318 for securingmeans 334. In the pictured embodiment inflatable wall 320 includesmultiple rings 322. Cover 330 includes drawstrings 332, securing means334, Velcro™ tabs 336, and opening 338.

In one embodiment, an outer edge of base 310 is connected to inflatablewall 320, and cover 330 is constructed to formfit around base 310 andwall 320. In base 310, upper sheet 402 and lower sheet 404 are connectedby welds 314. This creates inflatable chamber 312. In one embodiment,holes through the upper sheet 402 and lower sheet 404 of base 310 ininterior portions of welds create shaped welds having an interiorportion removed 316. In one embodiment, holes through the upper andlower sheets of base 310 create openings 318 for securing means 334. Inone embodiment, openings 318 for securing means 334 are located on base310 near wall 320. Rings 322 are connected together forming andinflatable wall, and base 310 is connected to the ring 322 closest toit. In cover 330, drawstrings 332, securing means 334, and Velcro™ tabs336 are connected to cover 330. Securing means 334 are oriented so thatthey can pass through openings 318 and partially connect to Velcro™ tabs336.

In one embodiment, playpen 300, base 310, inflatable chamber 312, welds314, shaped welds having an interior portion removed 316, inflatablewall 320, and rings 322 operate as described above with reference toFIG. 1.

In another embodiment shaped welds having an interior portion removed316 let air pass out of the enclosure formed between base 310, wall 320and cover 330. This prevents air from getting trapped between base 310,wall 320 and cover 330, and makes cover 330 formfitting to wall 320 andbase 310. Drawstrings 332, securing means 334, and Velcro™ tabs 336 alsomake cover 330 formfitting. Drawstrings 332 can be tightened to make theopening 338 in cover 330 smaller than base 310, thereby securing cover330 snugly to base 310 and wall 320. Securing means 334 can pass throughopenings 318 and attach to Velcro™ tabs 336 to secure cover 330 to base310 and wall 320. This also makes cover 330 formfitting to base 310 andwall 320. Cover 330 is easily removed and cleaned by, for example,washing it in a washing machine. This makes playpen 300 easy to keepclean and sanitary.

In one embodiment, the shape and placement of welds 314 and welds havingan interior portion removed 316 are different. In one embodiment, welds314 and welds having an interior portion removed 316 are shapes otherthan circles, such as ovals, squares, diamonds, rectangles, or starts.In another embodiment, welds 314 and welds having an interior portionremoved 316 are arranged differently. The number of rings 322 ininflatable wall 320 may also vary. In one embodiment, each ring 322 isan air chamber distinct from each other ring 322. In another embodiment,rings 322 each have multiple air chambers. The number of air chambers inbase 310 may vary. In one embodiment, base 310 has multiple airchambers. In one embodiment, base 310 has parallel inflatable chambers312. In another embodiment base 310 has inflatable chambers 312 that areconcentric circles.

There are numerous ways cover 330 can be secured to base 310 and wall320. Cover 330 may also be secured to base 310 or wall 320 using ties,buttons, snaps, hooks, clamps, zippers, or the like. Openings 318 forsecuring means 334 may also be in different locations on either base 310or wall 320. In one embodiment, Velcro™ tabs 336 are replaced by otherfastening devices such as buttons, snaps, hooks, clamps, or the like. Inanother embodiment, the securing means 334 are ties, and the ends of theties are tied together after they pass through openings 318 or otherholes.

FIG. 4 is a plain view of inflatable playpen 400. Inflatable playpen 400includes base 410 and wall 420. Base 410 includes inflatable portion412, shaped welds 414 and welds having an interior portion removed 416.Base 410 is connected to an outer edge of inflatable wall 420.Inflatable chamber 412 in base 410 is formed by welds 414.

In one embodiment, the shape and placement of welds 414 and welds havingan interior portion removed 416 are different. In another embodimentwelds 414 and welds having an interior portion removed 416 are shapesother than circles, such as squares, ovals, diamonds, rectangles, stars,hexagons, octagons, polygons, or the like. In one embodiment, welds 414and welds having an interior portion removed 416 are arranged indifferent patterns.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of base 410 of inflatableplaypen 400. In base 410, upper sheet 402 and lower sheet 404 areconnected by welds 414 oriented in a grid pattern. This shapesinflatable chamber 412.

While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the presentinvention have been shown and described, it is understood that theinvention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made bythose skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoingteaching. It is therefore contemplated by the appended claims to coversuch modifications and incorporate those features which come within thespirit and scope of the invention.

1. An inflatable child containment device comprising: a base, the basehaving at least one inflatable chamber and a plurality of shaped welds,at least one shaped weld having an interior portion removed; and aninflatable wall connected to the base.
 2. The device of claim 1, whereinthe wall further comprises a plurality of contiguous rings, the ringsoriented so that their centers are substantially collinear.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the base has a plurality of inflatablechambers.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein each ring has at least oneair chamber not shared by another ring.
 5. The device of claim 3,wherein each ring has a plurality of air chambers.
 6. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the interior portion removed is circular.
 7. The deviceof claim 2, wherein the interior portion removed is circular.
 8. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising a cover adapted to cover the childcontainment device.
 9. The device of claim 2, further comprising a coveradapted to cover the child containment device.
 10. The device of claim4, further comprising a cover adapted to cover the child containmentdevice.
 11. The device of claim 5, further comprising a cover adapted tocover the child containment device.
 12. The device of claim 6, furthercomprising a cover adapted to cover the child containment device. 13.The device of claim 7, further comprising a cover adapted to cover thechild containment device.
 14. The device of claim 8, wherein the coverhas an edge and a drawstring movably affixed to the edge, the drawstringoriented to minimize the perimeter of the opening.
 15. The device ofclaim 9, wherein the cover has an edge and a drawstring movably affixedto the edge, the drawstring oriented to minimize the perimeter of theopening.
 16. The device of claim 10, wherein the cover has an edge and adrawstring movably affixed to the edge, the drawstring oriented tominimize the perimeter of the opening.
 17. The device of claim 13,wherein the cover has an edge and a drawstring movably affixed to theedge, the drawstring oriented to minimize the perimeter of the opening.18. The device of claim 10, further comprising the cover having strapsand Velcro tabs; and the base having openings for the straps to passthrough.
 19. The device of claim 16, further comprising the cover havingstraps and Velcro tabs; and the base having openings for the straps topass through.
 20. An inflatable child containment device comprising abase, the base having at least one inflatable chamber, a plurality ofshaped welds, at least one shaped weld having an interior portionremoved, and openings for straps to pass through; an inflatable wallconnected to the base, the wall having a plurality of contiguous rings,each ring having a plurality of air chambers, the rings oriented so thattheir centers are substantially collinear; and a cover, the cover havingan edge, a drawstring movably affixed to the edge to change the size ofthe perimeter of the edge, straps connected to the cover, and Velcrotabs connected to the cover and connectable to the straps.